Strip-tinning device



May 10, 1960 s. AAMoT 2,935,963

STRIP-TINNING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1957 nited ts 2 Claims. (Cl. 118-416) This invention relates to stnip-tinning devices and more particularly to devices having recessed applicator discs which lift' molten ntin'from `a container and apply it to a strip passing `across the container.

A common device used in the past for applying tin to a strip is provided with =a pair of smooth applicator discs which are rotated to lift molten tin from a container and apply it to a strip. VOne of the prime disadvantages of a device such as this is that the applicator discs must be positioned so ydeep in the tin that the shafts upon whichl the discs are mounted are completely submerged in the molten tin. In order to prevent tin from leaking out along the shafts where they pass through the sides of theV container, an exceedingly tight packing is needed. This tight packing requires an excess-ive amount of power to rotate the applicator discs and results in excessive wear on the parts involved. With these problems in mind, a major object of this invention is to provide a strip-tnn-ing device having applicator discs mounted on shafts which are not submerged in the molten tin.

Another object of this invention is to provide a striptinning device having applicator discs which are provided with recesses for lifting molten tin from a container and applying it to a strip passing above the container.

A further object of this invention is to provide a striptinning device having recessed discs which apply molten tin from a containerto lastiip moving above the-container and. which are rotated -by the strip as it passes the container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a strip-tinning device which can-not be rendered inoperative by the solidication of solder therein.

With these and other objects in mind, the present invention contemplates a pair of opposed rotatable applioator discs rigidly mounted on 4a shaft above a container fof molten tin and between which a strip to be tinned is passed. The discs are provided with a plurality of recesses which lift molten tin from the container and apply it to the strip as it passes between the discs, the discs being rotated by the moving strip or by a drive motor.`

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, partially sectioned front view of a strip-timing device embodying the principles of the invention; Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectionalview taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l showing the recesses in one of the applicator discs;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the applicator disc shown in Fig. 2 showing the manner in which the recesses in the discs are positioned and also showing one of the guide discs; Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the strip to which a zonal coating of tin has been applied; and

ZS Patented' May 10, 1960 Fig. 5 is a reduced fragmentary plan view showing several pairs of applicator and guide discs so arranged that the moving strip rotates the discs.

Referring now in detail to Ithe drawing, a base 11 is shown supporting a drive motor 12 (Fig. l) and bushing housings 13 and 14. Bushings 15 and 16 in the housings 13 and 14 support a shaft 17 upon which is rigidly mounted a pair of applicator discs 20 and 2l secured to a pair of spaced guide discs 22 and 23 also rigidly mounted on the shaft 17, the guide discs being positioned in eng-agement with and on opposite sides of a collar 19. The collar 19 is rigidly secured to the shaft 17.

The diameter of the applicatordiscs 2t) and 21 is such that the lowermost portions thereof extended downward from the shaft 17 beyond the guide discs and into a container 2d of molten vtin 25 supported by the base :11. The discs 20 and 21 are provided with a plurality of generally cylindr-ical recesses 26 each of which extends from the plane surface yof the disc 'at an angle of approximately 35-4t) (from the plane of the disc), and also at an angle of approximately 35-40 from a plane passing through the axis of the shaft 17 and the open end of the recess 26. These recesses 26 in the discs 2li and 21 face each other and open into the side of the discs .at points beyond the associated guide discs in the manner shown in Fig. l.

A `strip 27, to which a zonal layer or narrow band 28 (Fig. 4) of tin is to be applied, is positioned between the guide discs 22 and 23 and is moved between these discs by a take up mechanism 30 (Fig. 1) of a well-known type such as a capstan which advances the strip continuously. ln :operation of the device, to apply a narrow layer 28 of -tin to a strip 27, the strip is positioned between the guide discs 22 and 23, and the motor 12 and the strip take up mechanism 30 are actuated. The applicator` discs are rotated in a predetermined counterclockwise direc tion -so that the open ends of the recesses lead the closed ends. As the strip 27 passes between the rotating discs, molten tin is picked up from the container 24 by the recesses 26 in the discs 2t) 'and 21 and is carried upward. The lling ofthe recesses is assured because the openings in the recesses lead the closed ends. As the tin carrying recesses 26 approach their uppermost positions, the tin is spilled therefrom and ows over the guide discs 22 and 23 and lthe lower portion of the strip 27 to apply a zonal layer 2S of tin of uniform width thereto.

if it is desirable, a plurality of pairs ofdiscs Zti and 2l may be mounted in tandem on separate shafts, alternate pairs of discs being offset laterally from the path of travel of the strip 27 (Fig. 5 If this system is used, the moving strip 27 will drag sufficiently on the discs 2t) and 21 to rotate them, thereby rendering it unnecessary to use motors for driving the discs.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of this invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled lin the art which will embody the principles of the invention and of the collar for engaging opposite sides of and guiding the strip, a pair of applicator discs rigidly secured to the outer sides of the guide discs and extending radially beyond said guide discs into the molten metal in the con- :5 Y tainer, and means for rotating the shaft and applicator discs in a predetermined direction, each of said applicator discs having a plurality of evenly spaced cylindrical recesses, each recess opening into the side of the applicator disc beyond its 4associated guide disc and extending outwardly and away from said associated guide dise to terminate inthe vicinity of the periphery of the applicator disc, each of said recesses'being disposed at an acute yangle with respect to the plane orf the applicator disc,

each recess also being disposed at an acute angle toward said predetermined direction of rotation whereby the recesses are so disposed in the applicator discs that when the recesses are moved in the container the openings will lead the closed ends of the recesses to insure the filling of the recesses with molten metal.

2. In a device for coating a strip ofY material, a container of uid, a pair of spaced applicator discs, means for rotatably supporting said discs to extend partially into said container, means for guiding the strip to move in a horizontal path above the axis of the applicator discs,

each of said applicator discs having cylindrical recesses formed therein extending outwardly at acute angles from the facing sides ofthe discs toward the peripheries of the discs, each of said cylindrical recesses also extending at an acute angle in the plane of the disc with respect to a radius passing through each recess, and means for rotating said applicator discs in a predetermined direction so that the open ends :of the recesses lead the closed ends whereby each recess is illed as it passes through said container and is discharged as it approaches the horizontal path of the strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Apr. 4, 1956 

